Google, Microsoft team up to push 50Gb Ethernet in datacenters

Google joined Microsoft, Mellanox, Broadcom and Arista Networks to launch the 25G Ethernet Consortium, an open industry body that aims to push 25G (single link) and 50G (double link) protocols in datacenters

From Techradar:

The current industry standard is pegged at 10G and 40G respectively between the server network interface card and the top-of-rack switch port and any new specification will be available for free to consortium members.The need for faster Ethernet links has been driven by the necessity of industry-standard, vendor-neutral, interoperable technology capable of boosting performance while at the same time cutting the cost of Gbps between the NIC and the ToR.Why Ethernet is the way forward for mobile backhaulThe first products based on this technology are expected to hit the market before the end of 2015.